God wants us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Bible teachers have the privilege of discipling students to the next level in their spiritual growth. They won’t automatically reach this objective simply by showing up and teaching the lesson.
3 Tips for Discipling Students Toward Spiritual Growth
- Don’t rely on curriculum to do the discipling.
Curriculum helps keep teachers on track and may provide a scope and sequence for getting students through the Bible. The curriculum alone, however, is insufficient to disciple students. Curriculum writers don’t know each student in a class. Pre-fab lessons may not emphasize certain aspects of learning and growing needed by those students. Teachers therefore need to assess where students are spiritually and fill in the gaps.
- Determine where students are right now in their spiritual growth.
We would do well to apply this wisdom to our class: “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” (Prov. 27:23) Are they spiritual infants, children, adolescents, adults, or parents? In what areas do students need more help? We won’t know where to take students next until we discern where they are now.
The Teacher’s Role in Discipling Students Toward Spiritual Growth resource helps teachers better understand the different stages of spiritual growth to be able to identify the levels of their students.
- Prepare lessons to steer students toward their next level of spiritual growth.
Students tend to understand no more than one stage above where they are now. When preparing lessons, ask these questions to know if adjusts must be made to the curriculum to better disciple students.
- What do my students need to know about the next stage in their growth? – This provides the basis for setting a goal.
- What do my students need to feel about going to that stage? – This helps them with motivation to reach that goal.
- What do my students need to do to get to that stage? – This gets them started toward accomplishing the goal once they’re motivated toward it.
- What do my students need to know or feel to be encouraged to keep going on? – This is particularly important for those in the class who are already spiritually mature.